Slap on the sunscreen, bring a chair and your favourite hat and head to Moira Parade Park for the annual Australia Day Celebrations in Hawks Nest on Thursday 26 January.

For 25 years the Lioness Club has been organising the celebrations in the Hawks Nest/ Tea Gardens area and this year is no exception.

For the early risers there’s the ever popular sausage sizzle and bacon and egg roll to kick start the day at 8am.

There’ll also be delicious lamingtons for sale to be washed down with tea and coffee or a cold drink.

On the official front, the Flag Raising Ceremony will be at 9am followed by the Presentation of the Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year Awards.

To add to the fun, Lioness President Linda Allen said, “There’ll be games and races for the children including the three legged race, sack rack and a few other activities.”

“These will be run by Mr Ted Mowbray and assisted by the Myall Coast Little Athletics Club.”

“Great music will be supplied by Joanne Van Der Linden,” Mrs Allen said.

For history and ancestry buffs there will be stalls manned by the local Historical and Family History Societies.

The RAAF Hawk Squadron will stage a Flypast around midday to top off the celebrations in spectacular fashion.

The Lioness Club would like to thank MidCoast Water for their donation and MidCoast Council for supplying the venue and facilities.

For visitors or locals not familiar with the area, the Australia Day Breakfast is being held at Moira Parade Park at Hawks Nest, near the Binda Street Wharf.

For Bulahdelah and surrounding areas, get along to the Bulahdelah Court House to celebrate the special day.

At 5:30pm Memorial to Betty Bramble from the Historical Society.

6:30pm, share in a good old Aussie BBQ.

7:30-9:30pm, there will be light entertainment and watch some short local films.

By Margie TIERNEY